Ryan wraps up August fundraising tour

Paul Ryan has wrapped up his monthlong, 12-state fundraising swing, barnstorming the country raising money for vulnerable House members and GOP candidates at 17 events.

At a time when the National Republican Congressional Committee is being heavily out-raised by House Democrats’ campaign arm, Ryan’s popularity with donors has provided a much-needed boost.

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In a three-day sweep from Monday through Wednesday, for example, he raised more than $730,000 for eight members and candidates. That included stops in New Jersey for Rep. Tom MacArthur; New York to help Reps. Elise Stefanik, John Katko, Tom Reed, Dan Donovan and Lee Zeldin; and a fundraiser for GOP hopefuls Jack Martins of New York and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

Prior to that, the speaker had raised more than $33 million this election cycle, well on track to top ex-Speaker John Boehner’s record $35 million during the 2014 election cycle.

Now, Ryan is pivoting to his home state of Wisconsin, which he intends to make one of his biggest priorities this election season. In Milwaukee, his political arm, Team Ryan, is hosting a fundraiser Wednesday night featuring Gov. Scott Walker and former Gov. Tommy Thompson; Wisconsin Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner, Sean Duffy, Reid Ribble and Glenn Grothman; and the GOP’s pick to replace the retiring Ribble, Mike Gallagher.

This fall, Ryan plans to campaign around the state for Sen. Ron Johnson, one of the most vulnerable GOP Senate incumbents. The speaker's congressional campaign and leadership PAC have already given the maximum contribution to Johnson and Gallagher, his office says. And he just recently cut a $250,000 check to the state’s Republican Party, adding to the half-million dollars he’s already donated.

“Paul Ryan and his colleagues in the Wisconsin delegation are committed to victory this November and the funds raised will help us achieve that,” said Kevin Seifert, Team Ryan executive director. “Wisconsin Republicans are united behind our great group of federal lawmakers.”

This week’s events follow his four-week stretch flying around the country in search of cash to help Republicans keep the House. Earlier this month he stopped in Nevada to raise money for the Heck-Hardy Nevada Victory Committee, which supports Rep. Joe Heck’s bid for retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s seat, and Cresent Hardy, who like most of the members Ryan has raised money for, is part of the NRCC Patriot Program to help vulnerable incumbents.

In Oregon, Ryan appeared at an event with NRCC Chairman Greg Walden, and in Washington he appeared with Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Ryan also raised money for Young Guns candidate Don Bacon in Nebraska and made two stops in Iowa for Reps. David Young and Rod Blum, a Freedom Caucus member. In Minnesota, Ryan helped Rep. Erik Paulsen and Stewart Mills, who is running against Democratic Rep. Rick Nolan. Ryan also appeared with Rep. Bob Dold of Illinois.

Ryan is back in Wisconsin now doing constituent events. On Saturday, he’s having a tailgate fundraiser with Majority Whip Steve Scalise ofLouisiana at the Wisconsin-LSU football game in Green Bay.